Quotes from Mark Twain

No Californian gentleman or lady ever abuses or oppresses a Chinaman, under any circumstances, an explanation that seems to be much needed in the East. Only the scum of the population do it—they and their children; they, and, naturally and consistently, the policemen and politicians, likewise, for these are the dust-licking pimps and slaves of the scum, there as well as elsewhere in America.

The difference between the almost right word & the right word is really a large matter--it's the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.- Mark Twain (Letter to George Bainton, 10/15/1888)

I had nothing to do but listen to the pattering of the fountains and take medicine and throw it up again. It was dangerous recreation, but it was pleasanter than traveling in Syria.

The best swordsman does not fear the second best. He fears the worst since there's no telling what that idiot is going to do.

we felt very complacent and conceited, and better satisfied with life after we had added it to our list of things which we had seen and some other people had not.

SATURDAY morning was come, and all the summer world was bright and fresh

RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR--[Written about 1870.]

I said, I know what you'll say. You'll say stealing a n***** is dirty, low business, but what if it is? I'm low down; and I'm a-going to steal him, and I want you to keep mum and not let on. Will you? Tom's eyes lit up, and he says I'll help you steal him.

A great and priceless thing is a new interest! How it takes possession of a man! how it clings to him, how it rides him!

If I had the remaking of man, he wouldn't have any conscience. It is one of the most disagreeable things connected with a person; and although it certainly does a great deal of good, it cannot be said to pay, in the long run; it would be much better to have less good and more comfort.

THROUGH them for so small a thing as a boy; they were her state pair, the pride of her heart, and were built for style, not service—she could have seen through a pair of stove-lids just as well. She looked perplexed

The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read. –

However, I assured her that if he found he couldn't stand it I would fix him so that he could.

Without doubt modesty is nothing less than a holy feeling;

implore him to be a merciful ass and trample his duty under foot.

I could never plan a thing and get it to come out the way I planned it. It came out some other way--some way I had not counted upon.

Whenever you are popular just pause and see the reflect

We ain't dead -- we are only off being pirates.

Would she cry, and wish that she had the right to put her arms around his neck and comfort him?

El hombre es un museo de enfermedades, una residencia de impurezas; llega hoy y mañana ha desaparecido; empieza como barro y acaba como hedor (...)

Syrian travel has its interesting features, like travel in any other part of the world, and yet to break your leg or have the cholera adds a welcome variety to it.

We always prized him, but never so much as now, when we are going to lose him.

We ordered him peremptorily to sit down with us.

He said if he ever got out this time he wouldn't ever be a prisoner again, not for a salary.